Saudi Arabia lifts 5-year ban on Lebanon imports: What to know Saudi Arabia had been a main donor for Lebanon before ties strained during Hezbollah’s rising influence in the country. Lebanon
Suez Canal traffic soars as Hormuz disruptions reroute energy trade The canal generated $419 million in revenue in April, up 27% year over year. Egypt
Syria says Iraqi oil shipments surge as Damascus courts foreign energy investment Speaking at the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum in Washington on Tuesday, Syrian Petroleum Company CEO Yousef Qiblawy said Iraq's overland oil exports through Syria have expanded rapidly in recent months. Syria
Explainer Saudi Arabia, Turkey advance plans to revive historic Hejaz Railway Turkish and Saudi officials signed agreements as part of a Turkish push to revive the Hejaz Railway linking Turkey to the Gulf through Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Turkey
Analysis Turkey pushes Iraq, Syria trade routes as Hormuz crisis disrupts Gulf shipping By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Cash-strapped Jordan imposes new taxes; public anger ensues Economists suggest the Jordanian government should cut its own expenses and those of its staff instead of imposing taxes that add to the people’s economic burden. Jordan
Egypt seeks to increase exports to Africa Despite figures indicating an increase in the Egyptian exports to Africa, there still seem to be several obstacles facing Egyptian exports to the continent. Egypt
Iran plans revamp of national currency The Iranian Cabinet has approved a bill to remove four zeros from the national currency, the rial, and rename it the toman, but economists are divided over the potential impact. Iran
Why Netanyahu downplays historic trade agreement with South Korea Israel’s most nationalist government ever pledges to annex the occupied territories, and then approves a historic trade pact with South Korea that boycotts the settlements. Palestine
Russia ready to fund Palestinian industrial zone Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh discussed with the Russian ambassador the possibility of establishing an industrial zone in Nablus in light of Palestine’s ongoing efforts to promote its local economy and disengage from Israel. Palestine
Labor proposes taking Israel back to social-democrat economy According to the economic pre-election agenda presented by Labor head Amir Peretz, the party wants to increase Israel's external debt in order to pay for social projects. Israel
Will Egypt launch its own official digital currency? As Facebook announced it might not launch its digital currency as previously announced, experts in Egypt are debating whether the country should regulate digital currency. Egypt
Fire, redevelopment controversy engulf 127-year-old Cairo market An Egyptian presidential decision to vacate and restore the Ataba market stirs traders’ fears of the government's desire to control the largest market in Cairo and turn it into an investment zone. Egypt
Why farmers reject Egypt’s new cotton trade strategy The Egyptian government has announced a new trading system for cotton, which would be sold through public bidding, raising the ire of farmers who already suffer from severe losses. Egypt
Yemen’s farmers brace for slow pomegranate season Harvest season for pomegranates has kicked off in Saada amid fears of how a Saudi ban on importing the fruit will affect farmers, exporters and markets. Saudi Arabia
Israel’s economy victim of election campaign Israeli politicians prefer to ignore the implications of two election campaigns in one year on the market and the state deficit, which could harm the country’s credit rating. Israel
UAE diversification strategy lags despite growth in oil sector The United Arab Emirates is struggling somewhat with its economic diversification project as oil prices remain relatively low. Legacy: Gulf
